Correlates of Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Level Testing Among a Socially-Disadvantaged Population in Poland

Abstract

As part of cardiovascular disease prevention, the performance of BMI determination, blood pressure measurement, biochemical tests, as well as a lifestyle-related risk assessment are recommended. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlates of blood pressure and cholesterol level testing among a socially-disadvantaged population in Poland. This cross-sectional study was performed between 2015 and 2016 among 1710 beneficiaries of government welfare assistance. Face-to-face interviews conducted by trained staff at each participant’s place of residence allowed for completion of questionnaires that covered socio-demographic, health and lifestyle-related information. Sixty-five percent of the participants declared a blood pressure and 27% of them cholesterol level testing at least once within the year proceeding the study. A higher chance of having blood pressure testing was observed among the women (OR = 1.5; p = 0.002) and people with high blood pressure (OR = 3.9; p < 0.001). The women (OR = 1.4; p = 0.04) and older people (OR = 1.9; p = 0.02; OR = 2.6; p < 0.001, OR = 2.7; p = 0.002, for the following age groups: 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 years respectively), the respondents who declared health problems such as heart attack (OR = 3.0; p = 0.04), high blood pressure (OR = 2.3; p < 0.001) and type 2 diabetes (OR = 3.3; p = 0.004) and those with a family history of chronic diseases (OR = 1.5; p = 0.03) had a higher chance of cholesterol level checking. Higher healthy lifestyle index, indicating that the study participants have followed almost all of the studied lifestyle-related recommendations, was a significant correlate of cholesterol level testing (OR = 1.7; p = 0.006). Actions that promote lifestyle changes, blood pressure, and cholesterol level testing should take into account the needs of the disadvantaged population and should especially target men, people with existing chronic diseases, and those with unfavorable lifestyle characteristics. With respect to the socially-disadvantaged population, the social assistance institutions and outpatient clinics are the best places to conduct activities promoting a healthy lifestyle. The most commonly applied strategies to promote lifestyle changes can cover risk assessment, increasing awareness, emotional support and encouragement, as well as a referral to specialists.

Assessment of Blood Lipids in People with Chronic Hypertensive

“…The results of the current study alluded to a non-significant increase in the concentration of cholesterol in the serum of patients hypertensive without the treatment group and a significant increase in serum of patients hypertensive with the treatment group than control group of healthy people. The current study agrees with the Znyk 23 study which pointed to the association of blood pressure and cholesterol level with lifestyle modification and which has a preventive role and is one of the easiest ways to reduce cholesterol level and hypertension and thereby the future presence of high blood pressure. That's what Ruben and others.…”

The Frequency of Tobacco Smoking and E-Cigarettes Use among Primary Health Care Patients—The Association between Anti-Tobacco Interventions and Smoking in Poland

“…The current smoking status was assessed based on the question “Do you currently smoke cigarettes?” Subjects who answered “no” were classified as compliant with smoking recommendations [ 31 ]. A daily tobacco smoker is defined as a person who smokes at least one cigarette every day during a period of 30 days.…”

Correlates of Alcohol Consumption Among a Socially-Disadvantaged Population in Poland

“…As described previously, information about socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics as well as health status of the participants was collected by using the detailed questionnaire [15][16][17]22]. The following socio-demographic variables were selected for the current study: the participants' sex, age, educational level, employment status, subjective assessment of monthly income, living conditions and life satisfaction, cohabitation status, and presence of children below 15 years of age in the household.…”

“…The current smoking status was evaluated based on a question "Are you currently smoking cigarettes?" (the participants who answered "no" were classified as following smoking-related recommendations) [22]. Based on height (m) and weight (kg), body mass index (BMI) (kg/m 2 ) was calculated.…”

“…As described by Znyk et al, 2020, for each of the four lifestyle-related characteristics (smoking, BMI, diet, and recreational physical activity), the participants could receive 1 if they followed the relevant recommendations and 0 if the recommendations were not followed [22]. Based on this data, the combined healthy lifestyle index (HLI) was calculated as the sum of points given for each of the four lifestyle-related factors.…”